Acting in real time
By: Paul Binnerts ; translated by Paul Binnerts and Stephen Wang
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Ann Arbor
Language: eng
Number of pages: 266
ISBN-13: 9780472117949; 9780472035038; 9780472028566
Subjects: Method acting; Acting
Work titles: Toneelspelen in de tegenwoordige tijd
Description: This title makes available in English Dutch director and acting teacher Paul Binnerts's concept of 'real-time theater'. Real-time theater offers a challenge to Stanislavski and Brecht, whose theories of stage realism dominated the 20th century. In providing a new way to consider the actor's presence on stage, Binnerts advocates breaking down the "fourth wall" that has been a central tenet of acting theories associated with realism. In real-time theater, actors forgo attempts to "become a character" and instead understand their function as storytellers who are fully present on stage and may engage the audience and their fellow actors directly. This level of involvement allows actors to deepen their grasp of the material and amplify their stage presence, resulting in more engaged and nuanced performances. Illuminated by practical examples from the author's experience, the book explains why realism has become the dominant theater and acting convention and how it can hinder the creation of real imaginative theater.
Notes: Includes index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: human behavior is the core business of theater; title: Premises and inspirations. The dilemmas of the actor: who is he and what is his task?; title: The heart and soul of the actor: Stanislavski's approach; title: The actor as eyewitness to social processes: Brecht's approach; title: Acting in real time. The technique; title: The workshop; title: The exercises; title: Real-time acting and theater in historical perspective; title: Origins and conventions; title: New conventions and innovations.